SA Firefighter

I have a feeling things are moving in a whole lot of areas. Have you guys seen the letter from the minister yet? If you haven't you will it was addressed directly to all unit managers/Deputy UM's & brigade captains (or maybe Group Officers)but was to be circulated to everyone. Basically it thanks all vollies for there efforts, mentions David Place's new position(nice to find that out in the media first),mentions the two year review, touchs on the up comming fire season, hints at some changes that will improve things for vollies & their employers which we will know about before the end of the year & finally (which I found a bit strange & when I told my guys they laughed) that even though there is a chain of command - you can always talk to her or her assistant directly. So taking all of that into account & the fact that this years SES UM's conference is a two day open forum (with trade show), instead of the usual stage managed affair (which we are being very strongly encouraged to attend). Plus some other meetings I've been to recently, hints at a major change coming. I'm not sure what that change/ changes will be but I reckon you will see your Adelaide based strike teams, but as you said they need to be happening soon. And this year for the first time the local CFS guys & us are already having discussions around what type of support we can provide (& no not catering ), which in the past didn't happen until we were needed (we provide boats, flotation pumps etc). So I guess its watch this space and hope that the wheels of bureaucracy don't turn too slow. Cheers

I was talking to Rod Wells from PT last week & he told me about the demo @ Pirie. He is a good bloke and you should find it interesting, for SES UM's there is a trade show being put on at the State conference inwhich PT will be showing some stuff. Back to the stabilisers though we still carry the FARA's on our truck as well as the light (quick) response they are still a good bit of kit and they are lighter (plus we own them now so what else do you do with them?) the guys still practice with them & for most stuff they are fine.cheers

Love to see that holding a charged line in one hand and a set of lukus spreaders in the other - super vollie lol

Guys, vertical courses are happening have a look at the state training program. The RCR course meets the National competency (you don't need to be an accredited training organisation to deliver the training only to issue the certificates with the National competency number & the little badge) SES has recently gone through the final stages of becoming an RTO, so far everything is looking good. So once the SES is an RTO those who have successfully completed the RCR course will be issued another certificate with the number and little symbol so hang loose it will happen soon. Another course which will meet the same criteria is the new map reading & navigation courses. Sesrcrrescue the RCR course is harder now, because too many slipped through in the dim dark past, at least now I as well as everyone else can be confident that people who pass the course are competent, not just pushed through to help units meet the standards, help mates out etc. It has caused a lot of pain to those involved with providing the training, developing the package & units/individuals who have suddenly realised they can no longer perform RCR. But the pain has been worth it, same as the Vertical Mobility Course and others that are coming (including Navigation). So the short of it is courses are only cancelled due to lack of numbers or qualified trainers, so SES people get those nominations in so we can get training happening (also concider becoming trainers yourselves as there is not enough of us) cheers

Back to the Stabfast - we have both (Stabfast & Fara). Didn't think much of the Stabfast until we did a job where the car was above us (crew ambo & driver) sitting on its side. While we were working on the driver (who was out of the vehicle), the rest of the crew used the two Stabfast on the shiney side (something you can't do with the FARA's) so I had to eat humble pie cause that car didn't move, Stabfast took about three minutes to set up with a good crew ( we had some guys from Barmera with us & they are good - real good)& we felt perfectly safe. And they do another great trick, you can link them to each other and physically lift a car thats on it roof when you do an oyster lift (not recommended by maker though) As I said now I swear by them (heavy but) so much so I told the guys at PT hydraulics how impressed I am with. So hopefully you guys  in CFS will get them too. cheers

My thoughts exactly, if managed well dispatching the fulltime crew makes sense. Just going from past experience - things are never managed well & there is definitely some "history" down there, when this issue was raised at the conference, I didn't think it was a bad idea, until all of those issues I mentioned previously came up. And then it was quietly mentioned about something that happened in the past - couldn't find out what exactly or when (you know these things can go on for years in country towns & no one knows what started it or why). Up here we work well with the Mets (we even take turns on who is going to baby sit the scene until the towies show up), but in the past there has been some bad blood; usually caused by strong personalities, lack of understanding of how each other works & yes a bit of empire building. As I have said previously I was considering handing the RCR role over to our local MFS brigade, until we did the SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, outcomes, threats) & the problems outway-ed the benefits. So I guess that all of those things need to be considered,open & honest communication with all of those involved & then proper detailed planning initiated prior to any change. As an aside this process needs to be conducted for all of the emergency services, in all areas of the state as a matter of urgency. As things currently stand there isn't a clear plan & those things that were promised when SAFECOM was formed (reduced duplication, clear direction etc) just hasn't occurred. For example if you read the Green book (RCR directory) it states that combitools do not meet the standard, yet my backup unit according to the directory is the local MFS (which I don't have a problem with)- but they don't meet the equipment standard. So when I need back up or default the page I call the closest SES unit which is against what the directory states - could be a source of conflict? These are the issues that need to be dealt with in a holistic way prior to any change down the Mount or anywhere else for that matter. Sorry for the long reply, just there has been too many knee jerk reactions in the past, which we all pay for eventually. - chook

Hi guys, been reading posts on here for some time & after reading this topic thought I'd better comment. First sesrescue rescue5271 had already said what a great job we do so don't get so defensive, Second I was at a conference where this(Mets taking over RCR) was mentioned by their Unit Manager & everyone there told him it is not a done deal & as was mentioned in previous posts there is a process that must be followed, Third bajdas from what was said at the conference they were planning on attending incidents as rescuers & paging their retained as fire cover - ergo after hours the retained guys would have a truck with a full RCR kit (normal retained trucks don't- combitools don't meet the standard) be trained & as you may very well know the number and types of tasks impact our budgets. So eventhough it sounds like a great idea in Adelaide, I would be concerned if I was the UM @ the Mount. Finally recent experience up here has shown that just because you are paid does not guarantee full crews (Retained), remember you need 3 rescuers plus fire cover for RCR. So If it was a full time 24 hr a day seven days a week service fine, but as its not leave it be.
Anyway those are my thoughts cheers